The Stories and History of the Wabash Erie Canal

When the young state of Indiana was choosing an interstate transportation system, canals seemed the most logical option. The recent success of the Grand Erie Canal of New York State drove the canal-building hysteria. The Erie Canal was making huge profits for New York, so why wouldn’t canals do the same for Indiana? This is the story of how the canal era in Indiana flourished and then faded.

Jeff Koehler, who has a passion for history and, especially, local history concerning transportation involving canals, interurbans, and railroads, is a scholar on historic modes of travel. His studies have led him to unknown facts and stories surrounding each of these important methods of historic travel.

Jeff has been the Clay County historian for over 20 years and is currently the vice president of the Clay County Historical Society and on the Board of Directors of the Canal Society of Indiana. He is a 5th-generation farmer and a life-long resident of Clay County.